Effect of nutrition in Alzheimer’s disease: A systematic review

Abstract

Background and objectiveAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by declining cognitive ability. Currently, there are no effective treatments for this condition. However, certain measures, such as nutritional interventions, can slow disease progression. Therefore, the objective of this systematic review was to identify and map the updates of the last 5 years regarding the nutritional status and nutritional interventions associated with AD patients.Study designA systematic review.MethodsA search was conducted for randomized clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses investigating the association between nutritional interventions and AD published between 2018 and 2022 in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases. A total of 38 studies were identified, of which 17 were randomized clinical trials, and 21 were systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses.ResultsThe results show that the western diet pattern is a risk factor for developing AD. In contrast, the Mediterranean diet, ketogenic diet, and supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids and probiotics are protective factors. This effect is significant only in cases of mild-to-moderate AD.ConclusionCertain nutritional interventions may slow the progression of AD and improve cognitive function and quality of life. Further research is required to draw more definitive conclusions.

Does Nutritional Supplementation Have a Disease-Modifying Effect on the Alzheimer’s Disease Neurodegenerative Process?

“…Despite the well-established influence of diet in the development of the AD neurodegenerative process ( 7 ), it is still not clear how nutritional supplementation may contribute to preventing or postponing it and, consequently, to protect cognitive function. Trials currently show that some biomarkers related to the AD development can be modified with supplementation protocols varying from months to years.…”

“…These measures have been used as outcomes in trials testing what can be done, in terms of lifestyle changes, to prevent or fight this neurodegenerative disease. Since nutrition is one of the main factors related to AD ( 7 ), questions arise if taking nutrients as supplements is able to affect its pathophysiological process. In the present study, an overview on the potential effects of nutritional supplementation on the main biomarkers related to the AD pathophysiology (i.e., Aβ and tau) is explored.…”

Mapping new pharmacological interventions for cognitive function in Alzheimer’s disease: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials

“…Given that pharmacology and nutrition have some points in common, we will also discuss some data we have found regarding the relationship between nutrition and AD. Various nutrients and nutraceuticals have been linked to improvements in cognition and other psychological aspects related to AD ( Guzman-Martinez et al, 2021 ; Abduljawad et al, 2022 ; Mahnashi et al, 2022 ; Xu Lou et al, 2023 ) Some examples include Gingko Biloba ( Liao et al, 2020 ), Melissa Officinalis ( Noguchi-Shinohara et al, 2020 ; Noguchi-Shinohara et al, 2022 ), Ginseng ( Ahmad et al, 2023 ), anti-inflammatory fatty acids ( Albrahim, 2020 ), medium-chain fatty acids ( Juby et al, 2022 ), ketone bodies ( Avgerinos et al, 2020a ), saffron ( Avgerinos et al, 2020b ; Talebi et al, 2021 ), fenugreek seed ( Foroumandi et al, 2023 ), genistein ( Viña et al, 2022 ), sodium oligomannate ( Xiao et al, 2021 ), anthocyanin ( Suresh et al, 2022 ), microbiota and probiotics ( Den et al, 2020 ; Maitre et al, 2021 ; Liu et al, 2022 ; Naomi et al, 2022 ), benfotiamine ( Gibson et al, 2020 ), omega-3 fatty acids ( Canhada et al, 2018 ; Jernerén et al, 2019 ), resveratrol ( Gu et al, 2021 ; Buglio et al, 2022 ; Fang et al, 2022 ; Tosatti et al, 2022 ), melatonin ( Tseng et al, 2022 ), citicoline ( Bonvicini et al, 2023 ), folic acid, vitamin B12 ( Chen et al, 2021 ), vitamins and minerals ( Mccleery et al, 2018 ; Karthika et al, 2022 ), selenium ( Pereira et al, 2022 ), vitamin D ( Jia et al, 2019 ), and mangosteen ( Muangpaisan et al, 2022 ). However, some studies do not support the efficacy of certain nutrients ( Zhu et al, 2018 ; Thancharoen et al, 2019 ; Araya-Quintanilla et al, 2020 ; Burckhardt et al, 2020 ; Du et al, 2020 ; Prabhakar et al, 2020 ; Shim et al, 2021 ; Tofiq et al, 2021 ; Takada et al, 2022 ).…”

Unraveling the therapeutic efficacy of resveratrol in Alzheimer’s disease: an umbrella review of systematic evidence

“…Research has been conducted on the connection between RV consumption and AD in both animal and human systematic reviews. Of these six systematic reviews [ 56 – 61 ], four were systematic reviews involving human subjects [ 56 , 58 , 60 , 61 ], while two involved animal subjects [ 57 , 59 ]. We excluded certain studies from the analysis for various reasons.…”